The annual Decoration Day service was held at the Canora Cemetery on June 10, and was opened with the singing of O Canada.
Pastor Wilfred Michaels, padre of the Canora branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, read a scripture passage to begin the service.
“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.” (Matthew 24:6-7).
Michaels encouraged those in attendance to, “remember those who fought in service of this country, those who came home and those who did not.”
Pastor Greg Bright led the singing of two favourite hymns, O God, Our Help in Ages Past and How Great Thou Art.
In his address, Michaels reminded the gathering that the scripture reading from Matthew 24 for contained examples of Biblical prophecy. It was said that there would be wars and rumours of wars, and nations would rise up against nation. He pointed out that all of this has happened since then, giving us further evidence that we can trust in the word of God. He went on say that people need to be mindful that Biblical prophets have said there will be a “war to end all wars” which is still to come.
During the service, wreaths were laid in memory of those who gave their lives in service to their country.
Chris Sokoloski, first vice-president, Canora branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, laid a wreath at the cenotaph, accompanied by fellow Canora Legion member Randy Molyneaux.
Debora Gabora of the Canora Legion laid a wreath, flanked by fellow members Lorie Negraeff and Pat Thompson.
The Canora air cadets took part in the service and carried the flags of Canora, Saskatchewan and Canada. AC Kaulen Katryniuk, flanked by Darren Paul, Canora air cadets’ commanding officer and LAC Janis Ruiz, laid a wreath during the service. Paul said Katryniuk and Ruiz were chosen for the wreath laying because they are the youngest cadets, and the wreath laying was a way to impress upon them the history and importance of the ceremony.
The Last Post was played followed by a two-minute silence.
Sokoloski read the commemorative verse:
“They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them nor years condemn;
At the going down of the sun and in the morning.”
And the members of the Legion responded:
“We will remember them.”
After the singing of God Save The Queen, all those at the service were invited to the Legion Dugout for refreshments.
At the Dugout, Sokoloski shared some of the history behind Decoration Day. He said he discovered that around 1866, an Irish/American group known as the Fenians invaded what is now Canada, in what became known as the Battle of Ridgeway.
Sokoloski said the Fenians were motivated to a significant degree by revenge against the British for their invasion of Ireland. Approximately 24 years later, in 1890, those same Canadian veterans were greatly upset by the lack of support they had received from the Canadian government for their service to Canada. As a result, the veterans brought it upon themselves to honour the Canadian military and called it Decoration Day.
